INTERVIEWS

Interview With The Author Lady Warfield

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Besides being a writer, I’m a hat maker (www.marineanddeerfield.com), Yoga Teacher (www.sueleewah.com), and Web Production/Designer (www.punkgoddesspress.com). I will be releasing a podcast called Bedtime Stories with LadyWarfield, come this fall. Or whenever I move into my new studio space.

Although I only have one book published, I have been writing most of my life. I just never even thought of publishing until this one was halfway through. Then I had this “ah ha” moment of, “heck. I'm a writer too!”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pocket of Pain. It's a memoir. What inspired it was the need to go back into that period of time in my life and explore it deeper, because for a lifetime I have refused to think about it. I was intrigued by who this young girl was and what made her make the decisions she did. And of course, as I was writing it I wished I could go back in time and give her a hug, and tell her she didn't have to be where she didn't want to be and that there was so much out there just waiting for her. But then, I realize even with that thought, that girl wouldn't be this woman who I am today if I didn't have those experiences. And I am truly happy with who I am and where I am.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I was working on the book I'd get up at 5:00 am, and do my yoga practice and meditations. After, I'd get a nice cup a coffee and snuggle up into my cushy chair, and begin writing. Sometimes one hour, and other times for two hours. I probably only did this at the most four times a week. That's why it took me a long time to write this baby.

When I write, I close my eyes, and just imagine the scene before me, then I go for it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book that I read over and over again was Milan Kundera's Unbearable lightness of Being. It literally fell apart from the notes and love that I had for it. Then there was Anaïs Nins Delta of Venus, Henry and June and the Diaries. Dorthy Parker. Portrait of a Lady, House of Mirth. All very tragic, but huge influences. I read all these in my late 20's. But I actually began with Fantasy and sci-fi, between 16 and 25 years of age, starting with Tolkien, obviously, and Terry Brooks. They were my beginners in the world of Fantasy, Fairy and Elves. Then I moved to Anne Rice, Mary Shelly, and then Tim Power's The Anubis Gates, followed by all his books, and then dove deep into William Gibons' Neuromancer, then later Mona Lisa Overdrive and well, of course Isaac Asimov's work and Philip K. Dick's Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep.

Back to my late 20's I was more into women's stories of pain and suffering and poetics. As I mentioned above. Jeanette Winterson's poetic and mysterious stories, flooded me as a young woman. I have her latest right now sitting on my TO BE READ shelf. And Memoirs from Mary Karr and Jeannette Walls have heavily influenced me to tell my own story.

I continue to be open to any drama from fantasy, fiction, non-fiction, romance, vampire romance, you name it.

What are you working on now?
As I just published my book, my biggest project is terribly boring… publicizing it. But I'm also working on what might be a book of short essays, that will be loosely or not so loosely based on some personal experiences. Check back for more.

I recently got into doing audiobook narration, so I'm hoping to do some more of that, and of course, I'll be doing Pocket of Pain. Along with that, I'm hosting an upcoming Podcast: Bedtime Stories with LadyWarfield, once I move into my new studio.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I've been using Instagram, email, and a little bit of Facebook. I'm just at the beginning of this stage so I'm still learning. I don't do Twitter, even though I know for authors it's big. But honestly, all these things takes time away from actually doing the work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There is so much advice out there. I would just say, stay true to yourself. Do what you instinctually want to do. Everyone will have an opinion on how to publish, how to publisize. I looked at tutorial after tutorial on how to do it. And even then, 50% of it didn't apply because it was for fantasy writers. But it was fun. So I would say, make sure you have fun when it comes to the publishing end. And if your going to publish on your own, I can help you get your book designed. I really love doing the interior design of books. And depending on the subject matter the cover. But there are amazing designers out there who can do covers.

As for writing. Listen to what your copy editors suggests. Then decide on your own. Not everything they say is right for you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My Development Editor just kept telling me to stop asking my friends their opinion. That's pretty sound.

What are you reading now?
I'm reading 3 things at once.
At night I read allowed to my husband: Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine.
After he falls asleep I read: A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
During the day when I have time: We Arrive Uninvited, by Jen Knox

What’s next for you as a writer?
See above. Write more. Do the Podcast. Write more. Do some audiobooks.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I might go back into some of those earlier books: On stranger Shores, Neuromancer, Valley of the Dolls, and that Jeanette Winterson book I have yet to read.

This Interview was edited and expanded on since the original publication.

Original Interview: https://awesomegang.com/lady-warfield/